CN1056255C

CN1056255C - Converter

Info

Publication number: CN1056255C
Application number: CN94100557A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭超英; 让-保罗·格里姆
Original assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics SA
Current assignee: Technicolor SA; Technicolor USA Inc
Priority date: 1993-01-30
Filing date: 1994-01-14
Publication date: 2000-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-14
Also published as: CN1094874A; DE69423801T2; US5752180A; JPH06252651A; DE69423801D1

Abstract

A radio frequency converter includes a plurality of signal paths for simultaneously processing two RF signals in the same band but with different polarizations, each of which includes a mixer and an oscillator. A common resonator is connected to the frequency control terminal of each of the oscillators and the oscillators work in a push-push configuration.

Description

Frequency converter

The present invention relates to a kind of frequency converter, it is particularly parts of the receiving system of microwave signal of receiving system.

Usually all know that with the frequency that is lower than an entering signal can be intermediate frequency to the radio frequency that enters (RF) conversion of signals.For this reason, except some element, such as amplifier, filter outside, frequency mixer and collaborative oscillator also will be arranged.

On some was used, such as so-called DBS (direct broadcasting satellite) system of usefulness for the satellite broadcast signal that receives direct emission, it was useful even or essential receiving two signals that enter simultaneously.Under the situation of DBS system, reception may be the signal of different polarization characteristics on two for example.

At present typical frequency converter comprises 50 to 100 elements that are welded on the circuit board usually, such as transistor, diode, resistance, electric capacity.Recent manufacturing technology can be integrated into most of this class component on the single monolithic integrated microwave circuit, after this is referred to as MMIC.Usually following two kinds of elements are not included in the MMIC frequency converter:

-the first kind is low-noise preamplifier (LNA), and it requires to have the lower noise factor that can accomplish than MMIC technology.But can expect, will accomplish this point in several years;

-the second kind is the frequency stabilization element of oscillator.

A frequency converter needs a very stable oscillator, usually its frequency must remain on nominal value+/-0.01% within.Remove to stablize a microwave oscillator with a dielectric resonator (DR) and know, exactly the dielectric resonator that is arranged in cavity for example is connected on the oscillator active device with near the cavity that a microstrip line passes the resonator.Active device can be among the cavity.The size of DR and cavity thereof is about MMIC and encapsulation thereof ten times.

If have two bars passages to be used for to receive simultaneously two unlike signals of identical frequency band, just need to adjust two MMIC oscillators and make it to have same local frequency.And will use two external agency resonators is quite difficult.

Also might be connected to the frequency control terminal of two MMIC oscillators in the output of an external agency resonant oscillator (DRO).So MMIC is injected into locking, this means that they have accurately identical frequency.But a such DRO is quite expensive.

Also have a kind of possible method, remove to stablize first MMIC oscillator by means of a dielectric resonator exactly, take out the sub-fraction of oscillator power, amplified, and with the injection locking of second MMIC oscillator on this signal.But additional amplifier can cause the increase of production cost.

From following two pieces of documents

“A20-40G?Hz?Push-Push?Dielectrie?Resonator?Oscilla-tor”，A.M.Pavio，M.A.Smith，TEEE?Transactions?on?Mi-crowave?Theory?and?Techniques，Vol.Mit?33，NO12，Dec.1985，PP.1346-1349

" On the Design of a Voltage-Tuned Push-Push Dielec-tric Resonator Oscillator ", C.M.Liu, C.Y.HO, MicrowaveJournal, June, 1990, PP.165--174 people also know the oscillator with two identical sub-oscillators, these two sub-oscillator arrangements push away-push away in (Push-Push) structure at one, thereby only need to come stabilized frequency with a dielectric resonator.So the frequency of oscillation of shared oscillator is two times of each single sub-oscillator frequency.

The objective of the invention is to propose a frequency convertor system that receives two signals in the same frequency range simultaneously, and be easy to realize.

For this reason, the invention provides a kind of dual signal passage frequency converter that radiofrequency signal receives that is used for, wherein each signalling channel comprises a frequency mixer and an oscillator that links to each other with frequency mixer, the frequency control terminal that it is characterized in that two oscillators is linked on the independent resonator, thereby described oscillator is operated in and pushes away-push away the circuit structure mode.

The frequency convertor system that the present invention proposes has signalling channel on two, and each in the middle of them all comprises a frequency mixer and the collaborative oscillator with dielectric resonator (DR) frequency stabilization.Said frequency mixer and oscillator can be integrated in the single-chip microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) together with amplifier that adds and filter.This characteristic feature of an invention is exactly to need only with a DR for two oscillators.Adopt a so-called oscillator structure that push away-pushes away just to accomplish this point.

This push-push configuration of frequency converter can be used for, such as, direct broadcasting satellite (DBS) system.These systems normally make with the intensive mode of production.Only with a dielectric resonator and avoid use to add element, such as amplifier, production cost will reduce greatly.

Other advantage, details and characteristics illustrate with the most preferred embodiment of introducing:

Figure 1 shows that the block diagram of most preferred embodiment,

Figure 2 shows that the electrical schematic diagram of the used oscillator of Fig. 1 embodiment.

Block diagram among Fig. 1 is depicted as a frequency converter with two signalling channels.The first passage of Fig. 1 first half receives the signal from the first secondary microwave antenna 10, this antenna can be the paraboloidal reflector of ribbon feeder noise loudspeaker, or be operated in the helical antenna of axial back reflection pattern or endfire mode, perhaps or even a secondary dielectric antenna, resemble the Luneburg type antenna that has collaborative feeder line, so that the antenna of any other kind.Aerial signal is amplified by first low noise amplifier (LNA) 11, and its output is added on first single-chip microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) 13 through first band pass filter 12.

Show as the secondary signal passage of Fig. 1 Lower Half to receive signal from second microwave antenna 20 (it can be the antenna with first slave antenna, 10 same-types), or from second signal that output is brought in of single antenna.This collaborative aerial signal is amplified by second LNA21.Its output signal is added on second MMIC23 through second band pass filter 22.

MMIC13 and 23 output signal be drawn towards processing signals back what.These levels are represented with square frame 30, and except amplifier, they may also comprise the collaborative device of the filter and so on that is used for generation figure and/or sound.The information of figure and/or sound is by antenna 10,20 signal feedings that received.Square frame 30 also may comprise the device that computer digital data, telegraph text data and so on are handled.

The signal that antenna 10 and 20 receives is the signal in the identical frequency band scope.These signals may be from different sources, and as from artificial satellite TDF1 or 2 and from artificial satellite TV-SAT, or these signals as artificial satellite AS-TRA, but have different polarization from same source.In this case, just must provide collaborative polarization choice device.

MMIC13 comprises one the 3rd LNA14, and its output signal is sent to first image frequency and local oscillator stop-band filter 15.Thereby a filtered signal is directed into first frequency mixer 16 that links to each other with first local oscillator 17.The output of first frequency mixer is an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, pass through next filter 18 filtering again after, amplify by an IF amplifier 19.

Second MMIC23 comprises the progression with the same pattern of MMIC13, therefore, and device 24,25,26 ... with 14,15,16 ... same function is arranged.

The end of

microstrip line

17a, 27a is connected with

oscillator

17 or 27 separately respectively, and guiding makes oscillator be operated in the push-push configuration state by the zone of a dielectric resonator (DR) 31.The other end of

microstrip line

17a, 27a is connected through

resistance

32,33 respectively.

Figure 2 shows that the part of the block diagram of best electrical schematic diagram with oscillator 17 and 27.

Oscillator

17 and 27 comprises an active device 40a and 40b respectively, in this embodiment, is a metal-semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET).The gate terminal of MESFET40 links to each other with

microstrip line

17a, 27a respectively.The source terminal of each MESFET40 then is connected with L/

C feedback circuit

41a, 41b respectively, and each feedback circuit respectively comprises inductance 42a, a 42b and electric capacity 43a, a 43b.The drain electrode of MESFET40 by match circuit 44a and 44b, is connected with

frequency mixer

16,26 respectively.

DR31 is placed on the contiguous place of microstrip line 17a, 17b.These lines can be parallel, but this is not a requirement.Any other angle will just cause different phase relations between two oscillator voltages.

For for using the oscillator that pushes away-push away in these embodiments that an actual understanding is arranged, at first the single oscillator shown in Fig. 2 the first half is done an explanation.

Dielectric resonator 31 contiguous microstrip line 17a, resistance of microstrip line one termination equals the cloudy anti-resistance 32 of its characteristic, and dielectric resonator is as the resonator of reflected radio (RF) energy on resonance frequency.Because the quality of dielectric resonator 31 is very high with number, so the loss in resonator is very little.Near resonance frequency, the phase place of reflection coefficient and frequency have very sharp-pointed dependence.

Active device 40a, it can be a field effect transistor (FET) or a MES-FET, but must vibrate on the frequency of design, selects feedback circuit 41a to guarantee stable factor less than 1, this means that circuit is unstable.

The grid input impedance Za that has the active device 40a of its feedback and matching network 41a, 44a is

Za=(-) Ra+j*Xa here

Ra is real part of impedance (is negative value at design frequency);

Xa is the imaginary part of impedance.

The selection of resonator position and coupled system makes at resonance frequency f ₀In time, have

Zi+Za=0 here Zi is the input impedance of seeing into from DR31, and its load be positioned at the same reference planes of Za on.

Let us is considered DR31 now, and it is between two

microstrip line

17a and 27a, and these two lines respectively connect the

resistance

32,33 that a resistance equals their characteristic impedances.(see figure 2)

Differing from the frequency of resonance frequency, all are all as there not being DR fully.

On the frequency of contiguous resonance frequency, the energy of feed-in microstrip line 17a almost completely is reflected, but the sub-fraction of this energy is sent on the second microstrip line 27a, and its phase place then is decided by the relative position of these two lines, and vice versa.

Supposition now has only single oscillator to exist, and for example resembles shown in the first half of Fig. 2.If second microstrip line and other parts are added to the opposite side of resonator, but do not give second active device 40b biasing, part energy is just taken out from oscillator 17 by circuit 27.This will cause oscillation amplitude to reduce, perhaps even may the failure of oscillations.

In opposite situation, promptly the bias voltage of first active device 40a is removed, and give active device 40b biasing, also can draw same explanation.Because circuit is symmetrical, second oscillator 27 will vibrate, though first oscillator 17 will absorb its sub-fraction power.With the opposite side of DR31 not the situation of made component compare, frequency of oscillation will be slightly different, because at this moment be not symmetry fully.

The following describes the situation that two active device 40a, 40b are coupled with bias voltage simultaneously.Can imagine to obtain that use principle of stacking, each oscillator will vibrate on the frequency separately.But reality but is not to be so fully: according in two active device 40a, 40b instantaneous phase relation between the input terminal voltage separately, the second half of oscillator will not regarded as its load by first oscillator.For given dependent phase, second oscillator helps to amplify vibration, and at opposite phase, second oscillator tends to prevent first vibration.In fact, this means two oscillators the 17, the 27th, synchronously or phase locking each other.

The output that consequently pushes away-push away oscillator is two and has same amplitude and the identical signal of frequency.

Phase relation depends on the symmetry of circuit:

-if circuit then obtains opposite phase with respect to the straight line symmetry;

-if circuit then obtains same phase with respect to point (resonator center) symmetry;

-if circuit is not symmetrical, then phase difference is arbitrarily.

Known in symmetrical structure all voltage and currents on two sub-oscillator corresponding points be identical or opposite, just make that the design of Push-Push oscillator is very simple:

If correctly select coupling coefficient between DR31 and microstrip line 17a, the 27a, making it exactly then only needs analysis one half circuit just can design and pushes away-push away circuit less than the twice of the coupled system of media resonant oscillator (DRO) separately.

Because the phase place of oscillator output is for unimportant in the application of direct broadcasting satellite (DBS) system, therefore two circuit can be selected at such situation.Because the scheme shown in Fig. 2 is symmetrical, so be easy to adjust, this set is desirable, though output signal has opposite phases.

Correct coupling energy between DR31 and microstrip line 17a, the 27a is selected with experimental technique.Once three were adopted between

microstrip line

17a, 27a and have different circuit and test apart from d.The single-chip microwave integrated circuit model that is used for these tests is ANADIG-ICS AKD 12011, and the DR that uses is MURATA DR, and its parameter is as follows:

The diameter Dr=5.06mm of DR,

The thickness Lr=2.24mm of DR,

Relative dielectric constant Er=38,

Temperature coefficient tf=4ppm/ ℃.

Table 1 has provided measurement result

Table 1

Noise factor (dB) gain (dB)

1.d＝do 7.4 37

2.d＝do+0.4mm 7.2 37.5

3.d＝do-0.4mm 8 35

Because second kind of circuit provided optimum, further test adopts it to carry out, temperature range by-30 ℃ to 60 ℃ obtain the results are shown in Table 2

Table 2

Noise factor in the time of 25 ℃ (NF) 7.2dB

Gain in the time of 25 ℃ (G) 37.5dB

0.0145dB/ ℃ of NF sensitivity

0.0076dB/ ℃ of G sensitivity

Frequency stability-1.2 is to+1.1MHz

The most preferred embodiment of adopt introducing, be developed into one be used for receiving simultaneously push away-push away DR coupling MMIC circuit.Its special benefits is that part count is less, and, compare and be easy to adjust with existing circuit.

Add a High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) preamplifier and a band pass filter at each input, one receives synchronously low noise block (LNB) and has just made, and it can be used in such as in the DBS system.

Claims

1. be used for the dual signal passage frequency converter that radiofrequency signal receives, wherein each signalling channel comprises a frequency mixer (16,26) and an oscillator that links to each other with frequency mixer (17,27), the frequency control terminal that it is characterized in that two oscillators (17,27) is linked on the independent resonator (31), thereby described oscillator (17,27) is operated in and pushes away-push away the circuit structure mode.

2. according to the frequency converter of claim 1, it is characterized in that and realize being connected by following manner of resonator (31) separately: promptly article one microstrip line (17a) is linked the frequency control terminal of first oscillator (17); And second microstrip line (27a) is linked the frequency control terminal of second oscillator (27), moreover independent resonator (31) is one and is placed near the dielectric resonator of two microstrip lines (17a, 27a).

3. according to the frequency converter of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that one of one of frequency mixer (16,26) and oscillator (17,27) are the parts of single-chip microwave integrated circuit (13,23) separately at least.